Kaal Tackles Eczema Written by Annette Garlett, Dr Bernadette Ricciardo, Delys Walton, Joanne Hill, Kristy Jetta & Sally Smith
I L L U S T R AT E D B Y T Y R O W N W A I G A N A
For all the moorditj koolangkar
Ngalak kaadadj Wardandi wer Wadjak noongar moorta wer baalabiny boodja-k wer nidja bibool kwadjat warn. Ngalak kaadadj baalabiny Birdiya koora-koora wer yeyi. Ngalak kaadadj baalabiny yako warn ngaalang koolangkar moorditj. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this book was created, the Wardandi and Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and honour their continued guidance and wisdom in our work to improve the health and development of all children. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters throughout Australia and recognise their continuing culture, connection to the land, waters, and community.
Kaal Tackles Eczema
To listen to a reading of this story scan the QR code below or visit telethonkids.org.au/healthyskinbooks
Written by Annette Garlett, Dr Bernadette Ricciardo, Delys Walton, Joanne Hill, Kristy Jetta & Sally Smith I LLUSTRATED BY TY ROWN WAI GAN A
Kaya, I’m Kaal! A proud Noongar
moort — mum, dad, nan and pop.
I lov e
fi
sh
and this is my
nop,
in
g
an
d sw
imming with my c
ousi ns
bi g
an ds ma
l
l…
…bu tp la
ng yi ty is foo
th
e
be
My sister is Maali and my brother is Kwila, last but not least is my
deadly dog Djilba.
s t o f a l l.
But I didn’t dream last night — I was itchy and sore,
Me and my
tossing and turning, I didn’t even snore.
koorda
Maali said, “You kept the whole family awake!”
kick, mark,
I think Djilba is the only one who had a good break.
and play…
I dream of winning on Grand Final Day.
When Mum picks me up I’m itchy and sad, I show her my skin and it looks really bad.
At school I see my
She gives me a hug and we have a yarn,
djoora is red and bumpy.
she’s seen this before on my Aunty Charm.
I worry and wonder, what could this be?
Is this from my itching and scratching in bed? I don’t show my
djoora,
I hide it instead.
ec
cl e
m y
a, ze m
We’re seeing
Aboriginal Medical Service.
s
We need to book in at the
doc to r, h e She says my ra sh i
and that makes me nervous.
r
h t!
t he
It’s eczema, she thinks —
e’ na m
r D s
er
m was rig u m
v
Br i
t. h g
What is eczema?
What about my footy? I have training today! Does this mean I’ll be too sick to play?
“Eczema’s an itchy rash that starts when you’re young. It gets better as you grow, but it’s really not fun.
woonda and eczema makes it crack. But with special treatment, your moorditj skin will come back.” Your skin’s like a
“To keep your eczema away do these five things every day…
3. (Dambart) Goodbye clothes that feel prickly, hello cotton — you’re less tickly.
1. (Keny) If something makes you itch, it’s time to make a switch.
4. (Koodjal-koodjal) No more baths with bubbles or shampoo, water and a splash of bath oil will do.
2. (Koodjal) Staying cool is best, when playing footy or at rest.
5. (Maar) Moisturise your whole body each day, this will help keep the dry skin away.
“…and sometimes you’ll do all this without a hitch or glitch,
but your eczema
might still flare with a
What if my skin’s not getting better?
bumpy rash and itch.” “If it’s not healing like
What do I do then?
you know it should, check in with the AMS in your neighbourhood.
Because sometimes the cracked
“Reach for the ointment from Dr Bright, and rub it on that eczema morning and night. Once your skin feels smooth and itch-free, then reduce the ointment — nice and slowly.”
woonda lets tiny germs in, and this will need treatment with another medicine.”
Everyone was right, the eczema has gone! I slept so good, I don’t even yawn.
Don’t forget to wash and keep your skin moorditj and clean, I’m feeling
winyarn,
I missed footy today, but Dad says the eczema will soon go away.
and moisturise each day with my bush medicine cream.
I can’t believe Grand Final Day is here…
If I try not to scratch and use ointment like they say, I’ll be joining my
koorda
on Grand Final Day.
I’m going to play my best and hear everyone cheer!
I’m feeling so good, with my we played so
koorda and coach,
moorditj and although it was close…
we won the game — I kicked the winning goal! I also tackled my eczema and now it’s under control!
Noongar Language Noongar is the Aboriginal Australian language from the Noongar nation of the South-West corner of Western Australia. Below is a glossary of Noongar words used in this book: Noongar Word
Pronunciation
English Word
Djoora Koolangkar Koorda Marp Moorditj Moort Nop Winyarn Woola Woonda Keny Koodjal Dambart
Joora
Arm
Cool-ung-gar
Children
Coor-du
Friend
Maa-p
Skin
Mor-di-ch
Good / Solid / Strong
Mor-t
Family
Norp
Boy
Win-yarn
Sad
Woo-la
Celebrate
Woon-da
Shield
Koodjal-koodjal Maar Maar Keny
Characters in this book have been named in Noongar, their meanings are as follows:
Kaal Fire
Maali
Swan
Kwila
Ken
One
Shark
K-oo-jool
Two
Dum-bart
Three
Djilba
K-oo-jool K-oo-jool
Four
Mar
Five
Mar Ken
Six
One of the six Noongar Seasons (Aug–Sep)
Geraldton
Amangoo
We acknowledge the
Noongar language is made up of many dialects. Special thank you to Charmaine Councillor at
Yoowat Balardong
Pronunciation and spelling of words can vary.
Wadjak Perth
Wardandi Miya-K Kaadadjiny Aboriginal Corporation
for the review and contribution to ensure the accuracy of the use of the Noongar language. wmkac.com.au
Ngadji ngadji Pindjarup
Wilman
Bunbury Busselton
Wardandi Margaret River
Wadjari Kaniyang
Manjimup
Bibelmen
Koreng
Minang
Nyoongar Esperance
NOONGAR GROUPS Albany
MAP SOURCE: noongarboodjar.com.au/noongar-dialects
Northern Dialects South Western Dialects South Eastern Dialects
The Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin Project
About Eczema Pronounced ec-zee-ma
After bathing/showering, pat-dry the skin and
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition in children that usually starts in the first few months of life. It causes a red, rough, and itchy rash. Eczema is not contagious. Children with eczema (and their family members) are more likely to have other allergic conditions like asthma or hay fever. Eczema impacts on sleep, school performance and quality of life. While it cannot be cured it can be managed well, and for most children eczema will improve as they get older.
immediately apply moisturiser over the whole body and face, while the skin is still slightly damp. Use a moisturiser that is thick, like a cream or an ointment. For eczema flares (itchy, red, bumpy), topical corticosteroids (“steroids”) are most commonly used. There are many different types (ointments, creams, lotions) that come in different strengths – your
This book has been developed by Telethon Kids Institute as part of the Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin project, a collaboration with Debarl Yerrigan Health Service and the South West Aboriginal Medical Service. This project is the first ever co-designed research-service Australian study to describe skin health in urban-living Aboriginal children.
doctor will advise what is best. Generally, steroids are applied to the eczema twice daily until the skin is
perfect (smooth and itch-free), then gradually reduced to the minimum amount that keeps the skin this way.
How to look after skin with Eczema Avoid triggers for eczema such as soaps, shampoos, shower gels and bubble baths, prickly or rough clothing (including wool), overheating, overdressing, sweat, friction, emotional stress and cigarette smoke. Bath or shower once each day, using warm (not hot) water and keep it short (5-10 minutes). Bath oil can be added to the bath, and a soap-free wash can be used if needed on dirty skin and for hair washing.
Try not to scratch as this makes eczema worse. Keep the nails trimmed short, try distraction techniques and use your recommended treatment. Scratching also causes breaks in the skin, creating an opening for infection. The most common infection is from bacteria, which should be suspected if the skin develops honey-coloured crusts or appears raw and weepy. Often infected eczema can be painful and antibiotics are needed for these types of flares.
To read more about the project including investigators and collaborators, or to find more healthy skin resources: Email kmhs@telethonkids.org.au or visit telethonkids.org.au/KMHS
Here are 6 simple steps to help keep bacteria away from moorditj skin :
1
keny
2
koodjal
3
dambart
4
koodjal-koodjal
5
maar
6
maar keny Scan the QR Code to watch Moorditj Skin Means Moorditj Health
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
Wash your hands with soap and water
Keep your fingernails short and clean
Shower or bath everyday
Dirty clothes should be put in the wash
Try not to share brushes, hats, hair ties, beanies, hoodies or towels
If you have any concerns, speak with your doctor.
Always let a grown up know if your skin is sore
The Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin project is generously supported by the WCVID, Telethon, and Western Australian Future Health Research & Innovation Fund.
Authors Annette Garlett is a Wilman and
Wardandi woman from Noongar country. Annette grew up in Pingelly, Burekup, Waterloo and Bunbury. Annette has connections to Collard, Hill, Abraham, Bennell, Hume, Parfitt, and Winmar/Hare. She is passionate about helping the community to understand and gain information about caring for their health and wellbeing, with particular interest in childhood illnesses. Annette works on cultural heritage projects and other community committees.
Dr Bernadette Ricciardo is a
Wadjella (non-Aboriginal) Australian of Italian and Irish ancestry. Born in Mt Barker on Menang boodjar (land) and raised in Perth on Whadjuk boodjar, she is a mother of four. Bernadette is a practicing dermatologist with over 10 years’ experience in the field and is passionate about healthy skin for all koolungar.
Graphic Design by Kelli Savietto Delys Walton is a Wilman Noongar
from the Michael and Thorne family, born in Williams and grew up on Wandering Mission. Delys is a retired education assistant and Noongar language teacher. Passionate about art and language, she is on the local school board, Aboriginal language corporation board, and advisory to the Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin project.
Joanne Hill is a proud Noongar and Ngadju woman from the Thorne, Michael, Hume, Hart, Dimer, Wilson, Rogers and Boxer families, with connections throughout the Southern area of Western Australia and South Australia. Joanne has over 25 years’ experience working with the South West Indigenous and wider community, delivering successful economic and social outcomes for her community. She is a mother of three and is passionate about children’s health and healthy lifestyles.
Kelli is proudly of Nyikina and Yawuru heritage from the Kimberley of Western Australia. kellisavietto.com.au
© Telethon Kids Institute Except as permitted by the copyright law applicable to you, you may not reproduce or communicate any of the content in this book without the permission of Telethon Kids Institute.
ISBN 978-0-6481297-9-0 Kristy Jetta is a proud Wardandi woman,
born and raised in the Southwest city of Bunbury. Kristy is from the Jetta, Wallam, and Humpries moort (families), connecting throughout Noongar boodjar. Kristy’s passion is working and building strong koolangka within her community through education, sport, and language. She has many experiences in different careers, but is most passionate about making our next generation healthy and proud.
Major Contributors Ainslie Poore Prof Asha Bowen Charmaine Councillor Dr Ingrid Amgarth-Duff Jacinta Walton Melba Wallam
Sally Smith (also known as Thelma Smith) was born on Whadjuk boodjar and has connections to Parfitt, Hansen, Wallam and Smith families. Sally is a mother of six and carer for extended family members, which she loves. She is passionate about working towards solutions to issues affecting Aboriginal families. She joined the advisory group to ensure local knowledge was embedded within research that is giving back and helping others in the community.
Illustrator Tyrown Waigana is a multi-disciplinary artist and designer. He is connected to peoples of Southwest Western Australia and Saibai Islanders in the Torres Strait through his Wardandi Nyoongar and Ait Koedal heritage. His creative practice encompasses painting, illustration, sculpture, graphic design and animation. Tyrown’s work spans different sectors of the creative industry from contemporary Indigenous styled graphics for corporate industries to picture books and largescale public artwork. crawlincrocodile.com
Citation: Ricciardo B, Walton J, Garlett A, Walton D, Hill J, Jetta K, Smith S, Poore A, Amgarth-Duff I, Wallam M, Councillor C, Bowen AC. (2024).
Kaal Tackles Eczema (T. Wagaina, Illus.). Telethon Kids Institute.
Printed by Daniels Printing Craftsmen Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar, Western Australia
Noongar boy, he
lt
Skin
but this season Kaal is
oo
Hea
hy
1
loves playing football,
ks
ditj Ma or
rp
Mo
Kaal is a proud
B
about to tackle a new and unexpected challenge…
eczema.
To listen to a reading of this story visit telethonkids.org.au/ healthyskinbooks or scan the QR code »